"I saw a lot of cops trying to subdue the suspect," said neighbor Sabine Aronowsky, 40. "It took a while to get him into the car. He wouldn't get into the car."

Police said that once Villanueva was finally put in the police cruiser, he tried to smash a window.

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Mayor Bloomberg and Kelly both lauded Schaberger, a U.S. Navy veteran, for his bravery in trying to protect a woman from abuse - or worse.

"Any police officer will tell you domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous," Kelly said. "They can become violent very quickly."

The mayor said Schaberger was a member of the 2001 Police Academy class that was forced into early duty because of 9/11.

Murder charge for suspect

Villanueva was charged with first-degree murder and was awaiting arraignment late last night. Following his arrest he was taken to Woodhull Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries, cops said.

The career criminal was silent as he was led from the police station in a black "Brooklyn" hooded sweatshirt, but his brother, Danny Villanueva, insisted the police's account was bogus.

"The speculations are all twisted right now," he said. "It wasn't because the police officer was pushed. It was a tug of war between cops and him."

He said his brother did not intend for Schaberger to die.

"We feel bad for the officer's family," he said. "Our condolences to the officer's family."

Villanueva has 28 prior arrests, mostly for robbery and burglary, Kelly said. He did seven years in state prison for a 1993 robbery conviction combined with a 1999 burglary conviction, state records show.

He was arrested on Feb. 4 for violating Dykstra's order of protection, Kelly said. Law enforcement sources said Dykstra had refused to press charges during Villanueva's past three domestic violence arrests.

Villanueva's uncle, Ely Figueroa, 62, said the pair had a long and rocky relationship.